Operations

Operations is a core knowledge area on the Part 107 (Drone) FAA written exam. This hub collects our 16 in-depth, ACS-aligned operations articles — each written in plain English and grounded in the official FAA handbooks. Work through them below, then drill the topic with practice questions.

Part 107 Daylight and Twilight Operating Requirements

Part 107 requires sUAS operations to occur during daylight or civil twilight with proper anti-collision lighting; understanding these time windows and equipment rules is essential for legal and safe drone operations.

Part 107 Maximum Altitude Limits (400 ft AGL Rule)

Under 14 CFR Part 107, most small UAS operations are limited to 400 feet above ground level (AGL), with a specific exception allowing flight higher when operating within 400 feet of a structure.

Part 107 Airspeed and Weight Limitations for sUAS

Part 107 sets a 100 mph (87 knots) maximum groundspeed and a 55-pound maximum takeoff weight for sUAS operations; understanding these hard limits is essential for legal, safe drone flight.

Part 107 Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) Requirements

Under FAA Part 107, remote pilots must maintain unaided visual line of sight with their drone at all times, ensuring situational awareness and collision avoidance without relying on FPV cameras or binoculars.

Part 107 Night Operations Requirements and Waivers

Part 107 night operations require specific waiver approval and anti-collision lighting visible for 3 statute miles, with strict rules governing when and how sUAS flights may occur after civil twilight.

Part 107 Operations Over People Categories and Requirements

Part 107 defines four categories of operations over people, each with distinct airworthiness, performance, and operational requirements that remote pilots must understand to fly legally over human beings.

Part 107 Operations Over Moving Vehicles Rules

Part 107 prohibits routine drone flight over moving vehicles in populated areas, but 2021 rule changes created specific operational categories allowing it under defined conditions and waivers.

Part 107 Yielding Right of Way to Manned Aircraft

Under 14 CFR Part 107, small UAS must always yield right of way to all manned aircraft, and remote pilots must take proactive steps to see and avoid other traffic in the airspace.

Part 107 Hazardous Operations Prohibition

Part 107 strictly prohibits certain hazardous operations that could endanger people or property — knowing these rules is essential for both the FAA knowledge test and safe sUAS flight.

Part 107 Careless or Reckless Operation Standards

Part 107 prohibits careless or reckless sUAS operation that endangers people or property, mirroring manned aviation's safety culture and carrying serious certificate and legal consequences.

Part 107 Dropping Objects from a UAS

Part 107 allows dropping objects from a UAS only if doing so creates no undue hazard to people, property, or other aircraft — here's what that means in practice.

Part 107 Anti-Collision Lighting Requirements

Part 107 requires sUAS operating during civil twilight or nighttime to display anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles, ensuring the drone is seen by manned aircraft.

Part 107 Waiver Process and Waivable Regulations

Part 107 allows remote pilots to apply for waivers to certain regulations when they can demonstrate equivalent safety—understanding which rules are waivable and how the process works is essential for commercial drone operators.

Part 107 Certificate of Waiver Application and Approval

A Part 107 Certificate of Waiver lets commercial drone pilots legally exceed standard regulatory limits—understanding the application process, required safety documentation, and FAA review criteria is essential for any serious remote pilot.

Part 107 Operating Limitations and Responsibility of Remote PIC

Part 107 establishes strict operating limitations for small UAS and places full responsibility for safe flight on the Remote Pilot in Command—understanding these rules is essential for both the knowledge test and real-world operations.

Part 107 Flying from a Moving Vehicle or Aircraft

Part 107 permits flying a small UAS from a moving vehicle in sparsely populated areas, but prohibits flight from a moving aircraft entirely—knowing the distinctions is essential for the knowledge test and safe operations.

More Part 107 (Drone) subjects

Applicable Regulations Airspace Classification & Requirements Aviation Weather Sources & Effects sUAS Loading & Performance Radio Communication Procedures Crew Resource Management & Physiology Sectional Chart Reading Emergency Procedures & Maintenance

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Articles are original summaries grounded in the public-domain FAA handbooks and cite their source. ACS-aligned study aids — not a substitute for the official handbooks or regulations.